No. This program is designed, in part, to help you build credit or improve your credit. While there is no minimum, if your score is above 650, it's likely you'll get better financing terms at a bank or through a branded dealer.

Yes. This program is designed, in part, to help build or improve your credit. Paying on time every month is the fastest and most reliable way to do that. Your per capita will be added to the vehicles's title as collateral on your loan. Should you become unable to pay monthly, we can work out a plan to have your loan temporarily paid from your per capita, allowing you to keep your vehicle rather than having it repossessed.

Yes, but only if a co-borrower with income besides per capita who is willing to sign the loan with you. In most cases, we require that the primary borrower have an income source in addition to Per Capita. We may make exceptions for full-time students, and this is done on a case-by-case basis. Keep in mind that your co-borrower will be equally responsible for repaying the loan if you do not, and his or her per cap will be considered part of the collateral.

Liens are usually placed on your credit record by a court judge if someone you owe proves you have failed to pay. This could be a mechanic or building contractor. The lien could be placed on your car, home, land, or even bank accounts. Liens can also be placed on your bank accounts by a government entity - usually for nonpayment of taxes. We will not be able to issue a loan until any outstanding liens are satisfied (paid in full) since the courts or government entities (especially the IRS) have the ability to jump in front of lenders for payment.

Other public records includes things like bankruptcy. Bankruptcy is not a deal-breaker for a Sequoyah Fund auto loan, but the bankruptcy will need to be fully discharged before we can do the deal.

Yes! We want you to be an informed customer, whether you're searching for a car today or a year from now. The more you know, the more you'll save - and the more headaches you'll avoid. Go ahead and take that course, and share it with others!

The Sequoyah Fund team is ready to help you evaluate any potential purchase. Of course, the best tools are a thorough inspection by a qualified mechanic and a CarFax report. Provide the VIN, and we'll pull your CarFax report to let you know if that car is a cherry or a lemon!

You can also check the value of any car you're considering. We recommend these sites:

Kelley Blue Book

J.D. Power

The purpose of this program is to help enrolled members of the EBCI obtain a good quality pre-owned vehicle for basic transportation. We will not consider motorcyles, collector-type vehicles, highly customized vehicles, or second cars under this program. If you are seeking a work vehicle for your business, this will need to be purchased with a business loan, and that's a different process. For more information, contact Dorian Walkingstick at 828-359-5004 or dorian@sequoyahfund.org.

Maybe! The purpose of this program is not to refinance existing vehicles, but we do examine these requests on a case-by-case basis. We will consider refinancing your existing vehicle if it meets our criteria (no motorcyles, custom "collector" cars, highly customized/modified vehicles, work/business vehicles, or second vehicles), and if your current loan terms are deemed to be usurious, predatory, or otherwise financially harmful to you. If  you have any questions about refinancing, contact Hope Huskey at 828-359-5005 or hopehuskey@sequoyahfund.org.